Automotive tool



G. F. FAGAN AUTOMOTIVE TOOL April 18, 1933.

Filed Nov. 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor 7'6076 F j By 5mm April 18, 1933.

AUTOMOTIVE TOOL Filed Nov., 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invcnlor v flllomey Patented Apr. 1 8, 1931;

GEORGE E. FAGAN, or renew, COLORADO 1 AUTOMOTIVE r001.

This invention relates to the broad class of automotive tools and appliances and has more specific reference to a combination wrench and screw driver expressly designed O for regulating and adjusting tappet or push.

rods ofthe type used in so-called overhead valves. 7 I

It is a matter of common knowledge to per-' T sons familiar with the automobile industry that certain makes of cars such as Buickl and Chevrolet areiprovided with overhead valve mechanisms. At the present time in adjusting valves of this type it is necessary to regulate the clearance adjusting screw in order to vary the distance between said screw and the adjacent cupped end of the pushrod. By way of explanation it is to be said that the clearance adjusting screw is carried on the i rocker arm and'maintained in a set position through the instrumentality of a lock nut. In this position it serves as a set screw for co-operation with the cupped end of the reciprocatory pushrod. The adjustment is gen- 'i erallymade when the motor is hot so that the valve stems and push rods will be expanded to the limit. If the space is too great, all that is necessary to accomplish the adj ustment is to loosen the locknut on the rocker "i arm adjusting screw and turn the screw slightly with the screw driver until the proper clearance is obtained and to then tighten the lock nut so that the adjustment will be maintained. It is generally necessary result expeditiously and effectively, I have developed the duplex style of tool represent- 7 ed in the accompanying pictorially illustrativedrawings.

Briefly stated, the preferred embodiment of thetool comprises a cylinder internally screw-threaded at both ends to accommodate interchangeable socket wrenches which are 50 plugged into the ends of the cylinder. In acin order to permit correct adjustment to be Application filed November 29, 1932. Serial No. 644,904.

cordance with the invention a rotaryhandle is attached to thecylinder and provided with a shaft and in the cylinder I provide one or more screw-drivers co-operable with the socket wrenches and gearing whereby the screw driver may be rotated to permit the desired I continuity of operation of the wrench and screw-driver.

Otherfeatures and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings. x

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of a tool constructed in accordance with the principles of the present inventive conception.

Figure 2 is an end' elevation thereof. s

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional and elevational view.

Figured is a similar view at right angles to Figure 3 showing the relationship of parts more clearly. I

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the cylinder per se. I v

a Figure 6 is a sectional view of oneof the removable socket wrenches.

Figure 7 is a detail view of the gear driven screw-driver. I

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference characters, and particularly to Figure 4:, it will be observed that the numeral 8 designates a cylinderofappropriate proportion. This is internally screw-threaded at its opposite ends to accommodate the socket wrenches 9. The wrench is in the nature of a plug threaded into the cylinder and provided with a hexagonal socket 10 and a central aperture defining a bearing 11. v

'As before stated, these parts 9 2L1658X- changeable so as to permit the wrench to accommodate lock nuts of difierent sizes. Intermediate its ends and at diametrically opposite sides the cylinder is provided with elongated slots 12 and 13 respectively. A rotary'shaft 1 1 extends through the slots 12 into the interior of the cylinder and terminates in a retention head 15 having a reduced shank 16 slidable in the slot 13.

conveniently turning the shaft and its associated parts. That portion of the shaft on the interior of the cylinder is provided with a driving bevelled gear 18 and a companion idling gear 19. These gears mesh with bevelled pinions 20 and 21 on the inner ends of a pair of duplicate spring-pressed. screwdriver stems 22 and 23 respectively.

Each screw-driver stem terminates in a blade 24 which projects through the bearing aperture 11 into the socket 10. The numeral 25 designates a washer to accommodate the coiled projection spring 26 which surrounds the screw-driver stein, bearing at one end against the washer and at its opposite end against the socket wrench 9. Incidently the wrench is held flush in the upper end of the cylinder through the instrumentality of a set screw 27.

*It will be observed that the springs 26 are so located as to maintain the pinions: 20 and 21 in'constant mesh with the gears 18 and 19 to provide the requisite transmission whereby rotation of the shaft 14 is transmitted to the screw driver stems 22 and 28 respectively. The numeral 28 designates a closure washer for the slot 12 which is interposed between the cylinder and the adjacent end of the shaft covering or handgrip 17 Manifestly, the shaft 14, gearing and longitudinally alined screw drivers form a complete unit which is bodily slidable in the slots 12 and 13 to permit the screw -drivers to recede. While I have shown a double or 1 duplex type of tool it is understood that a single type could be used if desired. It is thought that the dual type is more satisfactory and handy for the operation intended.

As before stated, under the ordinary practice of adjusting the rocker arm adjusting screw, it'is necessary to loosen the existing lock nut with a special wrench and to hold the nut while adjusting the screw through the instrumentality of a conventional screw driver. This makes it necessary 'to use two independent tools.

In the present arrangement the lock nut is loosened through the instrumentality of the socket'wrench 9 by placing the wrench over the nut and in'so doing the entire screwdriverassembly temporarily recedes into the cylinder so asnot to interfere with this opera'tion. Manifestly the lock nut is turned through the agency of the handle 17 cylinder 8, and socket wrench 9.

Then the screw driver blade 24 is engaged with the existing kerf in the adjusting screw and while holding the lock nut with the wrench the shaft 14 is turned andthrough theinstrumentality of the gearing, the screwdriveris actuated to regulate said adjusting screw after which the lock nut is fastened down against the rocker arm in an obvious manner;

Consequently, through the use of a single tool of the combination type, I am able to accomplish the desired results in valve adjustments in an expeditious and dependable manner.

It is thought from the foregoing descrip tion that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination tool of the class described comprising an elongated open-ended cylinder internally screw-threaded at its opposite ends and formed intermediate its ends with diametrically opposed elongated slots, inter changeable socket wrench elements plugged into the opposite ends of saidcylinder'and held in place by set screws, said elements being formed with hearing holes, a pair of longitudinally alined screw-drivers located in thecylindcr and having their intermediate portions mounted for rotation in the bearing holes of said wrenchelements with the bladed ends projecting into thesocket portions of said elements, expansible coil sprmgssurroundmg said screw drivers to permit the desired receding and projecting action thereof, a rotary operatin'gshaft' disposed at right angles to said cylinder, and mounted for sliding and rotation in said slots and operatively' connected to the inner adjacent ends of said screw-drivers;

2. A combination automobile tool of the class described comprising an open-ended cylinder internally.screw-threaded at opposite ends and formed intermediate itsends with diametrically opposed longitudinally elongated slots, a pair of independent-interchangeable socket wrenches plugged into the opposite threaded ends of said cylinder, set screws for removably maintaining said socket wrenches in place, each socket wrench being formed witha bearing hole located in alinement with the longitudinal axis of said cylinder, a pair of duplicate longitudinally alined screw drivers having their intermediate portions mounted for rotationin said bearing holes and their outer bladed ends projecting into the sockets of said wrenches, said screw drivers being provided attheir inner ends with bevelled pinions, a rotary shaft mounted for sliding and rotation in said slots and formed with a handle disposed at right angles tothe cylinder, said shaft being provided on the interior of said cylinder with bevelled gears in mesh 'with said pinions, and independent coil springs surrounding the screw drivers and bearing at their outer ends against the socket wrenches in the manner andfor the purpose described.

3. A combination tool of the class described comprising an elongated open ended cylinder formed intermediate its ends with diametrically opposed elongated slots, sock et wrench elements plugged into the opposite ends of said cylinder, said elements being formed with bearing holes, a pair of longitudinally alined screw drivers located in the cylinder and having their intermediate portions mounted for rotation in the bearing holes of said wrench elements with the bladed ends projecting into the socket portions of said elements, extensible coil springs surrounding said screw drivers to permit the desired receding and projecting action thereof, a rotary operating shaft disposed at right angles to said cylinder and mounted for sliding and rotation in said slots, and operatively connected to the inner adjacent ends of said screw drivers.

4;. A combination automobile tool of the class described comprising an open ended cylinder formed intermediate its ends with diametrically opposed longitudinally elongated slots, a pair of socket wrenches plugged into the opposite ends of said cylinder, each socket wrench being formed with abea-ring hole located in alinement with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, a pair of duplicate longitudinally alined screw drivers having their intermediate portions mounted for rotation in said bearings, and their outer blade ends projecting into the sockets of said wrenches, said screw drivers being provided at their inner ends with beveled pinions, a rotary shaft mounted for sliding and rotation in said slots and formed with a handle disposed at right angles to the cylinder, said shaft being provided on the interior of said cylinder with beveled gears in mesh with said pinions, and independent coil springs surrounding the screw drivers and bearing at their outer ends against the socket wrenches in the manner and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I afl'ix my signature.

' GEORGE F. FAGAN. 

